Photo: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden BoyJaime Munguia spoke about his successful 160-pound debut against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan in San Antonio, Texas.
“This was a new division for me,” said Munguia. “I felt stronger and with more conditioning, I just needed to adjust my speed to feel fully comfortable. I would give my performance a 7 or 8 because I needed to do a few more things, but we will get there fight by fight. I was confused about whether to attack or not to attack. Sometimes I thought I had to attack, but I didn’t. But thanks to my corner and Erik Morales I was able to get him. On the last rounds, I was more attentive, even though I still got punched a few times.”
“I would like to fight the best of this division: Canelo, Golovkin, or the Charlos. I know they have more experience, but I look forward to those fights. I want to thank everyone in San Antonio and Viva Mexico.”
Jaime Munguia spoke about his successful 160-pound debut against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan in San Antonio, Texas. “This was a new division for me,” said Munguia. “I felt stronger and with… Read More »
Photo: Mikey Williams/ Top Rank By Kurt Wolfheimer
Light heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. spoke about the scoring in his split decision win over Jesse Hart on Saturday night in Atlantic City.
“I was a little bit nervous when that one judge had it for Hart, but I really believe I won that fight. Jesse said he was going to fight me, but when I went to fight in the center of the ring, he retreated and I said ‘I thought you were going to fight me.’
“I want any one of the champions. I have never turned down a fight. (Promoter) Joe DeGuardia said he thought that was preposterous how one judge scored it.
“There’s a big fight next week (Eleider Alvarez vs. Michael Seals). Let’s see what happens.”
By Kurt Wolfheimer Light heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. spoke about the scoring in his split decision win over Jesse Hart on Saturday night in Atlantic City. “I was a… Read More »
Now campaigning at middleweight, unbeaten former WBO jr middleweight champion Jaime Munguia (35-0, 28 KOs) scored an eleventh round KO against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (30-4, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy
Munguia rocked O’Sullivan in round one and threw hard shots throughout the fight. O’Sullivan was able to exploit Munguia’s defensive shortcomings at times. Munguia was deducted a point for a low blow in round six. O’Sullivan went down in round seven from another shot ruled a low blow, then took more punishment. Munguia finally battered O’Sullivan to the deck to end it as his corner threw in the towel at 2:17 of round eleven.
Former WBC female heavyweight champion Alejandra “La Tigre” Jimenez (13-0-1, 9 KOs) moved down to super middleweight to dethrone WBC and WBO female world champion Franchon “The Heavy-Hitting Diva” Crews-Dezurn (6-1, 2 KOs) by ten round split decision. Jimenez walked down Crews-Dezurn early, and Crews-Dezurn rallied down the stretch. Scores were 97-93, 98-92 Jimenez, 97-92 Crews-Dezurn. Continue reading “Munguia stops O’Sullivan in middleweight bow”
Now campaigning at middleweight, unbeaten former WBO jr middleweight champion Jaime Munguia (35-0, 28 KOs) scored an eleventh round KO against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (30-4, 21 KOs) on Saturday night… Read More »
Light heavyweight Joe Smith, Jr. (25-3, 20 KOs) dominated Jesse Hart (26-3, 21 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night before a crowd of 3,415 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, but only won by split decision. Photo: Mikey Williams/ Top Rank
The harder-hitting Smith aggressively pressed the action while Hart tried with limited success to operate from outside. Smith rocked Hart in round four, dropped him in round seven, then punished him the rest of the way. Scores were 97-92, 98-91 for Smith, and a bizarre 95-94 for Hart.
Hart had vowed to avenge Hall of Fame Bernard Hopkins’ loss to Smith in 2016, but instead Smith made it 2-0 against Philly.
In a clash between unbeaten super middleweights, Steven “Stone Cold” Nelson (16-0, 12 KOs) won by eighth round TKO over Cem Kilic (14-1, 9 KOs). Terence Crawford stablemate Nelson progressively broke down Kilic until Kilic’s trainer Buddy McGirt got on the ring apron to protect his fighter from further damage. Time was 1:44. Continue reading “Smith dominates Hart, wins split decision”
By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside Light heavyweight Joe Smith, Jr. (25-3, 20 KOs) dominated Jesse Hart (26-3, 21 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night before a crowd of 3,415… Read More »
On the first televised U.S. card of 2020, unbeaten WBO #13, IBF #15 welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis (25-0, 23 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-2-1, 12 KOs) on Friday night at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Photo: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
It looked like it would be an early night when Ennis dropped Eyubov twice in round one. Eyubov began doing some damage in round two, although Ennis still dominated. The bout was eventually stopped in round four on the order of Commissioner Larry Hazzard, even though the very tough Eyubov was still game and in no way ready to quit. Time was :34.
Undisputed women’s middleweight champion Claressa Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over former welterweight champion Ivana Habazin (20-4, 7 KOs) in a bout for the vacant WBC and WBO 154-pound world titles. Photo: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
Shields was stronger and faster, beating on Habazin like a drum. Shields scored her first career knockdown when Habazin took a knee in round six. Scores were 99-89, 100-90, 100-89. Shields has now won world titles in three divisions.
In a women’s super middleweight unification, IBF champion Erin Cederroos (8-0, 4 KOs) won a close ten round unanimous decision over WBA champion Alicia Napoleon-Espinosa (12-2, 7 KOs). Photo: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
The much taller Cederroos dropped Napoleon-Espinosa with a left hook in round two and that was the margin of victory. Scores were 95-94 3x.
Heavyweight Apti Davtaev (19-0-1, 18 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Keith Barr (20-13-1, 8 KOs).
On the first televised U.S. card of 2020, unbeaten WBO #13, IBF #15 welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis (25-0, 23 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-2-1, 12… Read More »
Better late than never. Cruiserweights Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) and Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) will finally clash in the World Boxing Super Series final on March 21 at the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia. Briedis has both the semi-final and final taking place in his hometown. In addition to the WBSS Ali Trophy, Dorticos’ IBF title will be on the line. The final will be broadcast live on DAZN in the U.S.
Better late than never. Cruiserweights Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) and Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs) will finally clash in the World Boxing Super Series final on March 21 at… Read More »
Top Rank has announced the undercard for next Saturday’s light heavyweight main event between former world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez and Michael “Cannon Handz” Seals at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
In the ten round co-feature, lightweight Felix “El Diamante” Verdejo (25-1, 16 KOs), in his first bout since linking up with new trainer Ismael Salas, will fight Manuel Rey Rojas (18-3, 5 KOs) a ten rounder.
Top Rank has announced the undercard for next Saturday’s light heavyweight main event between former world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez and Michael “Cannon Handz” Seals at Turning Stone Resort Casino… Read More »
Franchon Crews Dezurn 168 vs. Alejandra Jimenez 164.6
(WBC female super middleweight title)
Hector Tanajara 134.6 vs. Juan Carlos Burgos 134.4
Joshua Franco 114.8 vs. Jose Burgos 114.2
Travell Mazion 153.4 vs. Fernando Castaneda 159.2
George Rincon 139.6 vs. Diego Perez 141.8
Hector Valdez 121.4 vs. Luis Rios 122
James Wilkins 129.4 vs. James Early 128.8
Angel Fierro 134.4 vs. Alex Martin 138.2
Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN
Jaime Munguia 159.4 vs. Spike O’Sullivan 159.4 Franchon Crews Dezurn 168 vs. Alejandra Jimenez 164.6 (WBC female super middleweight title) Hector Tanajara 134.6 vs. Juan Carlos Burgos 134.4 Joshua Franco… Read More »
Jesse Hart 175 vs. Joe Smith Jr 174.6
Steven Nelson 167.8 vs. Cem Kilic 167.6
Joseph Adorno 136.2 vs. Hector Garcia 135
Chris Thomas 170.6 vs. Samir Barbosa 168.2
Shinard Bunch 147.2 vs. Dennis Okoth 145.6
Sonny Conto 218 vs. Curtis Head 271.6
Jeremy Adorno 121.6 vs. Fernando Ibarra 121.4
Xander Zayas 147.2 vs. Corey Champion 146.8
Venue: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+
Jesse Hart 175 vs. Joe Smith Jr 174.6 Steven Nelson 167.8 vs. Cem Kilic 167.6 Joseph Adorno 136.2 vs. Hector Garcia 135 Chris Thomas 170.6 vs. Samir Barbosa 168.2 Shinard… Read More »
Sandwiched between two women’s world title bouts tonight on Showtime, the men’s welterweight ten-rounder between unbeaten WBO #13, IBF #15 Jaron “Boots” Ennis (24-0, 22 KOs) and Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-1-1, 12 KOs) could steal the show. Photo: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
“Most definitely I view this as a coming out party,” said Ennis at Friday’s weigh-in. “You’re going to see me real sharp. Speed and great defense, and we’re going to make easy work tomorrow night.”
Ennis has 14 straight KOs, while Eyubov has a loss and a draw in his last two. Ennis is currently as much as a 100:1 favorite, but Eyubov’s punching power could make it interesting.
Sandwiched between two women’s world title bouts tonight on Showtime, the men’s welterweight ten-rounder between unbeaten WBO #13, IBF #15 Jaron “Boots” Ennis (24-0, 22 KOs) and Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-1-1,… Read More »
South Africa’s longest-reigning world champion Kevin Lerena goes into a must win fight against Germany’s Firat Arslan on February 22 at the EWS Arena in Goepingen, Germany, when he makes the sixth defense of his IBO cruiserweight belt, in order to challenge for the WBA cruiserweight belt against Ryad Merhy.
The 49-year-old Arslan (47-8-3, 32 KOs) who made his pro debut in January 1997 is rated at #16 by the IBO, #3 by the WBA and at #4 by the IBF according to the latest available ratings.
By Ron Jackson South Africa’s longest-reigning world champion Kevin Lerena goes into a must win fight against Germany’s Firat Arslan on February 22 at the EWS Arena in Goepingen, Germany,… Read More »
Henry Rivalta Boxing has signed amateur standout Marcel “Man Man” Barlatier. He had 132 amateur fights and was a 3x national champion. Barlatier grew up in Liberty City which is one of the toughest neighborhoods of Miami, Florida. Aside from his natural talent, he is also a six-foot tall featherweight giving him major physical advantages for his division. Continue reading “Rivalta Boxing inks “Man Man””
Henry Rivalta Boxing has signed amateur standout Marcel “Man Man” Barlatier. He had 132 amateur fights and was a 3x national champion. Barlatier grew up in Liberty City which is… Read More »
An interesting Twitter exchange between former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and WBO president Paco Valcárcel after Valcárcel commented on a tweet by promoter Lou DiBella hyping his unbeaten heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov.
Paco Valcárcel: We would like to see him fighting dudes like @Tyson_Fury
Tyson Fury: Maybe if you hadn’t removed me from number 1 ranked WBO and put some cruiserweight bum with 1 fight at heavyweight then u could have a say! Haha 😂
Paco Valcárcel: Champ we respect you a lot, but you aren’t available… that’s the reason WBO removed you from the rankings. By the way champ, good luck …
An interesting Twitter exchange between former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and WBO president Paco Valcárcel after Valcárcel commented on a tweet by promoter Lou DiBella hyping his unbeaten heavyweight Bakhodir… Read More »
Claressa Shields: “It wasn’t difficult [to make weight]. In Flint I was 154.0. Now I’m 153.4. I could go down to 147 if I wanted to. I don’t fight off emotion. That’s why I’m a champion. There are plenty of girls who have done way worse things than what she’s doing trying to throw me off my square. I don’t really think what she’s doing, or her new coach, is supposed to bother me.”
Ivana Habazin: “I’m taking this fight more seriously than before and I gave everything into training, and I’m ready. She can talk saying she’s going to knock me out. Whatever. She doesn’t have that power and she will not knock me out. I have good defense and I know I have power so I’m going to knock her out.”
Claressa Shields 153.5 vs. Ivana Habazin 152.5 Jaron Ennis 145.75 vs. Bakhtiyar Eyubov 146.5 Alicia Napoleon Espinosa 164 vs. Elin Cederroos 166.5 Venue: Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City Promoter: Salita… Read More »
On the same day Top Rank announced it had sighed WBA/IBF super lightweight champion Josh Taylor to a promotional contract, promoter Sampson Lewkowicz announced he has signed Taylor’s IBF mandatory challenger Apinun Khongsong of Thailand to a co-promotional pact, along with Jimmy Chaichotchuang of Kiat Kreerin Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs) is coming off a fifth-round knockout over Akihiro Kondo this past February.
“We are very confident,” said Chaichotchuang. “We know we can beat [Taylor]. My fighter is a very, very hard puncher and he will beat Josh. And when he does he will go on to become the ‘Pacquiao of Thailand.’”
On the same day Top Rank announced it had sighed WBA/IBF super lightweight champion Josh Taylor to a promotional contract, promoter Sampson Lewkowicz announced he has signed Taylor’s IBF mandatory… Read More »
WBA/IBF junior welterweight world champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs), fresh off his tour de force win over Regis Prograis in the World Boxing Super Series final, has signed a multi-year promotional agreement with Top Rank. Taylor, from Edinburgh, Scotland, will make his Top Rank on ESPN debut in 2020 as he continues his quest to become the undisputed junior welterweight king.
“Josh Taylor is one of the world’s best fighters, and he is a fight fan’s fighter, a tough guy willing to fight anyone we put in front of him,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Whether it’s Jose Ramirez in a fight for the undisputed junior welterweight title or any of the welterweights out there, he’s ready for the biggest challenges. I want to thank Josh’s advisors at MTK Global, who have the same goal as us, which is to make him an international star.”
WBA/IBF junior welterweight world champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs), fresh off his tour de force win over Regis Prograis in the World Boxing Super Series final,… Read More »
By Mauricio Sulaiman WBC President, Son of Jose Sulaiman
Happy New Year to everyone! Already getting into 2020 and leaving aside the magic of celebrating the end of the year, where we all get poetic, prophetic and we get to be the best of oneself towards others, but now is the time to start engines and give it everything.
We closed the year with a lot, but better than that, quality of champions and world champions.
The first defense of the new fly king of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Julio César Martínez, who is led by Eddy Reynoso, has already been announced. Martinez will be the co-star of the fight between Mikey Garcia and Jessie Vargas in Frisco, Texas, USA. Continue reading “A Year Loaded With Boxing”
By Mauricio Sulaiman WBC President, Son of Jose Sulaiman Happy New Year to everyone! Already getting into 2020 and leaving aside the magic of celebrating the end of the year,… Read More »
On Sunday (January 5, 2020) the sad news came that former Philly welterweight Dick Turner passed away after a few years of declining health. He was just shy of his 83rd birthday. Turner had an eventful boxing career that ended prematurely in 1963 due to an eye injury. After retirement from the ring, he stayed away from the sport for a period, disappointed that the pursuit of his dream had been cut short. However, he later returned to boxing to help guide his talented nephews, the fighting Fletcher brothers (Frank, Anthony and Troy). Turner then became a trainer and worked with numerous Philly kids with the same dream that he once had. Continue reading “Former Philly welterwight Dick Turner passes”
By John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com On Sunday (January 5, 2020) the sad news came that former Philly welterweight Dick Turner passed away after a few years of declining health. He… Read More »
Philadelphia light heavyweight Jesse “Hollywood” Hart has turned Saturday’s ESPN-televised fight in Atlantic City against Long Island’s Joe Smith Jr. into a “personal” vendetta because Smith knocked Hart’s mentor Bernard Hopkins out of the ring and into retirement back in 2016.
For Smith, however, only business lies ahead. “If that’s what he feels he’s fighting for, good for him. I mean, but me, I’m fighting to become a world champion…I want people to talk about me the way Jesse Hart talks about Bernard Hopkins!
“It looks like I am going to have to let Philly down one more time.”
Philadelphia light heavyweight Jesse “Hollywood” Hart has turned Saturday’s ESPN-televised fight in Atlantic City against Long Island’s Joe Smith Jr. into a “personal” vendetta because Smith knocked Hart’s mentor Bernard… Read More »
For former two-time world champion Soo-Hwan Hong, traveling the world looking for foes was, and still is, no big deal. He looked forward to it back in the 1970s and still looks forward to it today. The only difference between then and now- back then he was looking to swap leather with his fellow pugilists. Today, he’s more interested in swapping memories of days of yore.
Photo: Soo Hwan Hong
The former WBA Bantam and Super Bantamweight, Korea’s first two-weight boxing champion, hit the road this past holiday season, to greet old foes in Mexico and Panama as well as meet up with one of his legendary contemporaries from back in the day. Continue reading “Soo-Hwan Hong Still A Road Warrior”
By Boxing Bob Newman For former two-time world champion Soo-Hwan Hong, traveling the world looking for foes was, and still is, no big deal. He looked forward to it back… Read More »
Fightnews.com® was able to talk to Irish fighter Spike O’Sullivan today during the media workout. Spike is fighting former WBO 154 world champion Jaime Munguía this Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. “I am here for the big test against Munguía who is a good fighter, a great champion but I have the experience to fight at this level and I’m expecting a war against Jaime,” said O’Sullivan.
“Mexicans and Irish, we are known for having big cojones. Conor McGregor is right when he says that Mexicans and Irish are the same in terms of fighting spirit. I really appreciate the Mexican boxing style and I grew up watching Morales (who now trains Munguia) Barrera, Marquez, etc. Continue reading “Spike O’Sullivan: Irish & Mexicans have big cojones”
By Hesiquio Balderas Fightnews.com® was able to talk to Irish fighter Spike O’Sullivan today during the media workout. Spike is fighting former WBO 154 world champion Jaime Munguía this Saturday… Read More »
After having no fights in 2019, former IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (38-2, 26 KOs) will be aiming to shake off the ring rust and fire his name back into the mix for a world title shot in 2020 when he meets Mark DeLuca (24-1, 13 KOs) on February 8 at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield, England, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. Photo: Mark Robinson.
“I feel great, I feel good. We’re four weeks out, I’m on weight, my training is going great. I’m ready to fight, I’d be ready to fight next week,” said Brook, 33, during a workout at the 12×3 Gym in London. “It feels good to be preparing for a fight again. I’m fighting back in Sheffield, we know what we get from the fans – amazing support. It’s always an amazing atmosphere in the arena. Continue reading “Kell Brook: I want whoever holds a belt”
After having no fights in 2019, former IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (38-2, 26 KOs) will be aiming to shake off the ring rust and fire his name back into… Read More »
North Philly’s Jesse Hart, 26-2, 21 KOs, takes the next step in his quest for a world championship Saturday night when he faces Joe Smith Jr. of Long Island, NY, 24-3, 20 KOs, at Atlantic City’s Mark G. Etess Arena in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The five-bout card is promoted by Top Rank and will be televised live on ESPN (and ESPN+). Photo: Sumio Yamada
Hart’s quest for a belt began at the super middleweight limit, where he campaigned for seven years. However, after two title bout decision losses to WBO champ Gilberto Ramirez, and despite never having the slightest issue making 168 pounds, the charismatic contender decided that the best path for him was to pursue his dream one weight class up, at light heavyweight. Continue reading “Hart seeking revenge against Smith”
By John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com North Philly’s Jesse Hart, 26-2, 21 KOs, takes the next step in his quest for a world championship Saturday night when he faces Joe Smith… Read More »
Showtime: Oddsmakers aren’t giving Ivana Habazin much of a chance against two-division champion Claressa Shields. Claressa is a whopping 80:1 favorite to win the vacant WBC and WBO 154lb titles on Friday night at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.
Also on that card, undefeated welterweight Jaron Ennis is a 70:1 favorite against Bakhtiyar Eyubov and WBA female super middleweight champion Alicia Napoleon Espinosa is 6:1 over IBF ruler Elin Cederroos in a unification clash .
DAZN: Former jr middleweight champion Jaime Munguia is a 17:1 favorite against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan on Saturday night at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
ESPN: The tightest odds are in the light heavyweight title eliminator on Saturday night from Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City where Jesse “Hollywood” Hart is a 4½:1 pick over Joe Smith Jr.
Showtime: Oddsmakers aren’t giving Ivana Habazin much of a chance against two-division champion Claressa Shields. Claressa is a whopping 80:1 favorite to win the vacant WBC and WBO 154lb titles… Read More »
